Help a family take a break

Do you have a holiday home and want to make a difference to a family affected by cancer?

Our Holiday Break Program provides short, free holidays so that individuals diagnosed with cancer can make more memories with their loved ones.

So far this year we have provided 70 breaks, but with 84 people diagnosed with cancer every day in Victoria we'd like to provide more.

Being able to help a family affected by cancer prompted Cathy and Marco Paoli to donate their holiday house.

"We love our beach house, it's the perfect place to spend time with the kids making memories and just having fun. It's important to us that people affected by cancer get the opportunity of a restful break away," they said.

Cancer Council Victoria 13 11 20 Nurse Manager Katherine Lane said that for many people, a cancer diagnosis means it's difficult to afford a holiday at a time when it's needed most.

"Our Holiday Break program can provide relaxing quality time with loved ones where you can create lasting memories and have a break from hospital visits and cancer treatment, all free of charge."

With her husband undergoing treatment, Loretta Walsh said it was valuable for the family to be able to take a break thanks to a donated holiday home.

"It was really important to have this time together and escape the stress and endless hospital visits. We had an amazing time and would recommend this to anyone going through a cancer experience."

While donated homes are needed across Victoria, there is a shortage in Echuca, Ocean Grove, Kyneton, and Ballarat.